Epic Roots Mâche and USA Pears

Springtime entertaining is as fresh and simple as a skip down the produce aisle now that Epic Roots and USA Pears have teamed up to create a savory salad that’s sure to impress at both sunny family picnics and elegant spring brunches.

A new salad recipe, the Epic Roots Mâche and USA Pear Salad, pairs the sweet taste of fresh Green Anjou pears and the nutty flavor of Mâche with added flavor from ingredients like fresh tarragon, sliced fennel, and shaved Parmesan. This unique combination is gorgeous on the plate and a delight to the palate. Plus, this side salad can be elevated to entrée salad status with the simple addition of poultry, fish, or beef at about three to four ounces per person.

This healthy and tasty salad recipe will be featured in a promotional booklet that will appear on all retail packages of Epic Roots Mâche Rosettes and Mâche Mixes Salade Verte, Red Romance, Salade Aux Herbes and Salade Europeen shipped from March 19 – April 3. A “Save $1 off the purchase of 2 packages of any Epic Roots Mache Salad” coupon is also included in the booklet.

Epic Roots Mâche is California field-grown, has a delightful sweet and nutty flavor, tender texture, and beautiful rosette shape. It is best simply dressed as a salad, and is a wonderful complement to roasted vegetables, meat and poultry. Mâche is an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, Folic Acid, and Iron. It is also a good source of Potassium.

Fresh USA Pears grown in Oregon and Washington are a sweet and juicy choice for any course of any meal of the day. Spring brings a bounty of fresh pear varieties including Green Anjou, Red Anjou, and Bosc. Fresh pears are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of Vitamin C at only 100 calories per medium sized pear. And, they contain no sodium, fat, or cholesterol.

For additional nutritional information, recipe ideas, and more, please visit www.epicroots.com and www.usapears.org.

Epic Roots Mâche and USA Pear Salad
The flavor and texture of USA Pears and Epic Roots Mâche pair perfectly in this healthy, tasty salad.

Serves 8 - 12

Vinaigrette:
8 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp finely chopped shallot
3 tsp finely chopped fresh tarragon
Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Salad:
8 oz Mâche Rosettes or Mâche Mix (2 packages)
4 USA Green Anjou Pears, cored and sliced
8 oz Parmesan cheese, shaved
1 cup chopped fennel

In a small bowl, blend vinaigrette ingredients together. Season with salt & pepper to taste. In a large bowl, place Mâche, USA Pears, cheese & fennel, and toss with vinaigrette. Arrange for family-style serving on a platter, or divide salad among individual plates. Enjoy!

About Epic Roots
Epic Roots was founded in 1998 by Todd Koons and is headquartered in Salinas, California. Epic Roots is dedicated to bringing exciting, beautiful and delicious produce to the American table. Visit www.epicroots.com for more information.

About Pear Bureau Northwest & USA Pears
The Pear Bureau Northwest is a nonprofit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon. The Bureau represents more than 1,600 growers who grow 84 percent of the nation’s fresh pear crop, and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.